Clunking in front end.....found this
#1
Clunking in front end.....found this
So I have been having some clunking in my front end. I searched around and saw some things about sway bar end links/bushings. I checked my front end, took the tires off and looked at everything. Then I noticed this...pics below. Im not familiar with all the parts. Is this the tie rod ends? Both of them look like this. If it is how simple is the repair?
Last edited by Dame83; 04-04-2012 at 06:18 PM.
#2
Yup, them's the tie rod ends. Removal is pretty simple... undo that crown nut up at the top while putting a wrench on that top hex portion to keep the ball joint from spinning. Then, use a pickle fork, a hammer, and a rubber mallet to get it out. The rubber mallet is for whacking the side of the knuckle where the tie-rod goes in. It can help loosen it.
Make sure you count the number of turns it took to get the old tie-rod off (that big nut on the inside is actually a jam nut, "tighten" it to take its compression off the tie rod end itself); that number of turns is what sets your toe on that wheel. Make sure to install the new tie-rod end to the same number of turns. You can also use that jam nut to mark the location of the inside end of the tie rod.
Install is pretty much reverse of install, except a whole lot less hammer-swinging. Hopefully.
Make sure you count the number of turns it took to get the old tie-rod off (that big nut on the inside is actually a jam nut, "tighten" it to take its compression off the tie rod end itself); that number of turns is what sets your toe on that wheel. Make sure to install the new tie-rod end to the same number of turns. You can also use that jam nut to mark the location of the inside end of the tie rod.
Install is pretty much reverse of install, except a whole lot less hammer-swinging. Hopefully.
#10
Just an update, I got the passenger side done but the driver side jam nut wont come off. I been tried with a wrench and vice grips, some banging too. Damn thing wont budge. Still hear the clunking on the passenger side anyways so I guess I will have to work my way around the suspension to see what else it could be.